SOUTHEND pupils have been forced to self-isolate after a child in their school “bubble” tested positive for coronavirus.

The pupil at Greenways Primary School tested positive for Covid-19 after a member of the child’s family contracted the virus.

Staff from the school, in Greenways, Southend, have now closed the affected “bubble” - groups of 15 children who stay together each day.

Parents were informed by a letter and children have been instructed to isolate for 14-days.

A spokesman for the school said: “We take our duty of care extremely seriously and every decision is made with the best interests of our pupils, parents and staff in mind.

“In line with Government guidelines on social distancing and infection control, pupils and staff are assigned to specific bubbles.

“Following a member of their family testing positive for Covid-19, a pupil tested positive, and we have therefore closed the affected bubble for a 14-day self-isolation period in line with guidance from the Government and Public Health England.

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The spokesman added: “As we have throughout the lockdown period, we are committed to minimising disruption to learning by ensuring our pupils in the relevant bubble can continue to access learning from home during this self-isolation period.

“We look forward to welcoming back all of our pupils and staff in that bubble in due course.”

Trevor Harp, Southend councillor for health, said: “Although lockdown is easing, the virus is still in the community, and so incidents of positive Covid-19 tests are not unexpected.

“Schools across the borough have well prepared plans to respond to coronavirus incidents, with the priority being the safety and wellbeing of pupils and staff. These include testing, self-isolation where appropriate and deep cleaning.

“Any positive cases will be followed up by NHS Test and Trace, with any close contacts of cases informed and advised to self-isolate as per the national guidance.

“This includes headteachers informing Public Health England who work directly with the school and council’s public health team to advice on or take the appropriate action.”